SEPTA partners with local start-up to deliver on-site car washing

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority now offers onsite car washing services at select regional rail stations through a partnership with Philadelphia-based WashLB, which allows regional rail riders to have their cars cleaned while parked at the station.  

The service will begin Sept. 23 on the Lansdale/Doylestown Regional Rail Line at the following stations: Ambler, Colmar, Doylestown, Fort Washington, Jenkintown, North Wales and Pennbrook. Exterior and interior services will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Riders can park anywhere in the station lot and do not need to leave their keys. 

"We know our customers have very hectic schedules and we're excited to offer this new service, not just for its convenience but also as an added value to our riders," said Kim Scott Heinle, SEPTA assistant general manager for customer experience and advocacy. 

All services, including interior detailing, can be scheduled through the company's app available on IOS or through their website, WashLB.com, and the service will be delivered at the station where the car is parked by a trained team of specialists. The process uses a mobile wash kit which cleans vehicles with environmentally friendly products using less than one gallon of water without impact to adjacent vehicles. Pricing starts at $10.00 for a basic exterior wash. 

"The average carwash uses about 75 gallons of water per wash, so we're saving at least that amount of water each time we provide the service. And for those who wash their cars at home, they use closer to 150 gallons, so our process is definitely eco-friendly," said WashLB co-founder Kelly Ireland. 

WashLB CEO Harry Michel added, "Our goal is to transform the way people receive car care. We saw a need for this service and experience and this partnership with SEPTA is a significant milestone for our company.”